Ria Beri ‘27
EE Staff Writer
Trumbull’s Great Pumpkin Classic was held yesterday, Sunday, October 22. Adults had the option of participating in the 5K and the 1.7 mile health walk, while kids could race in the fun runs. This event has been held for 33 years and is used to raise scholarship money for Trumbull High seniors. Since 1991, it has helped fund over $318,000 worth of scholarships.
The 5K race kicked off on the A-house side of Trumbull High. Runners ran along the perimeter of the school before heading up onto Daniels Farm Road. There, they took a hard right onto Country Club Road, where they ran before coming back down onto Strobel Road. From there, they raced through Midland Road and Cardinal Circle, eventually leading them to the finish line that was stationed outside the tennis courts. Many runners brought their festive spirit, and could be seen wearing halloween costumes and pumpkin hats.
Strong races were run by all 458 participants. In the men’s race, 17-year-old Demetri Franzese of Shelton took first overall with a time of 17:47. Trumbull’s 9-year-old Anton Skrabko and 13-year-old Tevi Lederfeind also dominated their age groups with impressive first-place victories. In the women’s race, Trumbull High alumna and Girls Cross Country coach Kate Romanchick took first with an amazing time of 20:21. She ran each mile in just 6:33 minutes, placing her 9th out of both men and women. Additionally, 35-year-old Jennifer Flagg of Trumbull finished the race in 24:37, placing her first in the women’s 30-39 year-old category.
The race was followed by breakfast and awards. Link Crew served snacks and pancakes to the racers as the Girls Cross Country Team directed the last of runners to the finish line. During the awards ceremony, Franzese and Romanchick each earned a trophy and $50 gift card for their first place finishes, while medals were awarded to the top 3 finishers in each junior age group. The top finisher in the older age groups was also given a $20 gift card.
Every year, the Great Pumpkin Classic is a great way for the town of Trumbull to gather and support each other. “It was a very exciting race,” said Sofia Henriquez, a participant in the 5K race. “All of the runners in Trumbull had a chance to unite and have fun!”
The Classic is about more than running. Instead, it provides all participants with the opportunity to challenge themselves while still having fun and maybe a few Plasko’s apple cider donuts in the process! Participants can race with friends, children, and even pets, all for the benefit of our seniors. Whether you enjoyed this race or couldn’t make it, be sure to stay on the lookout for the Jingle Bell run, the next local 5K!
Just found this article, and was happy to see the coverage.
Of note-Tevi Lederfeind, age 13 at the time of this race, dominated most of the race, not just his age group.
He came in third overall in a field of hundreds of people who were much bigger and more professionally trained than he.
Proud Papa here, for sure, but he was really something in that race.